The Benefits Of Evening And Weekend Childcare

Attorney Fine Free! Now that's Justice!

2010-09-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

September 17, 2010 10:39 pm
A 70-year-old lawyer who was sentenced to jail “indefinitely” on contempt-of-court charges was abruptly released Friday evening after spending a year and a half behind bars.
Richard Fine was released from Los Angeles County Jail in downtown Los Angeles shortly after 9 p.m. but did not wish to speak to a Times reporter, said his daughter, Victoria.
Fine, an antitrust and taxpayer advocate attorney, was thrown in jail last year by Superior Court Judge David P. Yaffe for failing to answer questions about his finances and for practicing law without a license.
The contempt charges stemmed from a case Fine filed on behalf of Marina del Rey homeowners who sued local developers. Fine had been ordered to pay sanctions and attorneys’ fees in the case.
Fine contends he was being targeted by Yaffe because of his challenges to county-funded benefits that judges receive on top of their state pay.
Rather than comply with Yaffe’s orders and be released from jail, Fine vowed to take his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In May, however, the court declined to take up his petition, meaning he could have remained in jail indefinitely as Yaffe had ordered. The judge could not be reached for comment late Friday.
While in solitary confinement, Fine filed habeas corpus petitions for his release with the California Supreme Court, district court and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, alleging that Yaffe was biased against him and should have recused himself from the contempt-of-court case.
His imprisonment was “the latest encounter in the 10-year campaign by Fine to restore due process in the California judicial system,” the attorney, who has been representing himself, wrote in his petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Fine is the only attorney, of the approximately 208,000 California attorneys, with the courage to challenge the California judiciary,” he wrote.
In a telephone interview with The Times in May, Fine said the U.S. Supreme Court had made the wrong decision by allowing him to remain in jail. He said he would be filing another petition.
“I'm in fighting condition,” he said. “They haven't broken me down, and they won't break me down.”
-- Scott Glover

Free Attorney Richard Fine

2010-08-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.petition2congress.com/2/3470/go/

August 21, 2010Dear President Obama:Dear Representative Adler :Dear Senator Lautenberg:Dear Senator Menendez:
The people of this nations are calling for the intervention of President Obama. During the presidential campaign, President Obama made a promise that he would listen to the people. The people are now calling out for intervention..The people of this nation are requesting that President Obama contact both International attorney Richard I. Fine and Dr. Shirley Moore. It is the peoples belief that they both would be a great asset in assisting your team to restore honest and fair services back into our government.It is also the people's belief that both would help to ensure accountability, create jobs and restore trust and bring about positive change back into our perspective communities. The world has observed International Attorney Fine sit in the Los Angeles County Jail for over eighteen month's now...Attorney Fine has being retaliated against all because he has exposed the court system in the state of California...We have observed him being denied "Due Process" on every level.We the people have observed an innocent citizen (attorney Fine) be terrorized by his own Country and not one person in authority has spoken out..We the people were of the belief that we were fighting a war on terrorism not perpetrating it. In addition, how can our government attempt to fight for those that are illegally here in the Country, example the lawsuit against Arizona, at the same time, this very same government sit's silent as a legal citizen is being tortured.Free attorney Fine now!

http://familyrestorationservices.blogspot.com/

http://millenniumradionj.com/news/index_audio.htm

http://familyrestorationservices.blogspot.com/2010/07/corruption-where-you-reside_25.html

https://donors.microgiving.com/settings/account/

http://www.microgiving.com/profile/727029139

2010-08-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.microgiving.com/profile/727029139

Pressing Foward...

2010-08-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

For several years now I've networked with many non-profit groups in reference for the need to have a community center to help the homeless, and to serve as an out reach for families who struggle, but are denied help because they are told they make too much! There was a season in years past where some groups weren't open to my ideas, but that has changed, so I decided to give the presentation a go one last time!

I've learned now that certain groups wanted me to present this project, share my ideas and leave everything in writing, but basically walk away?! Having been homeless myself for over a year, struggled much, dealt with wolves,rejection has not only made me stronger, but it is how the idea to have this center was created, so leaving my material and walking away is not an option! I decided to have a little faith in people in this group even still, so I continued with their offers to meet .There are three non-profits interested in my ideas, they asked me to meet with them, and their hook was they would like to move forward and join me on this project, but then asked me to leave my work with them?! My response has been..."I would like for us to work together, and only then will I give the full presentation on how the center will operate when this happens, however the offer at the end of these meeting's always posed the same question from one or more group members..."Can you leave the material?" I've learned many of these groups have the idea, but they lack the programs and how to run the center, which is what I worked on while being homeless to date! They need this second part in order for the county to approve any funding.Mind you up until now I did not have an attorney.

Every person has a vision.Each persons vision will meet a need, and one vision isn't more important than another, so I've learned if people have their own agenda let them flourish with their own ideas, but I can't force them to join in my vision, which means it's unwise for me to just leave my ideas/work with them, when I have work to do.

Conclusion?...This New Year I will be setting up non-profit status on my own now. The work I've finished for program design and how to run the center will be my business plan, in addition to my mission statement etc. I will run an add in the Asbury Park Press seeking additional volunteers and groups that share in this vision to move this goal forward! I have pledges already, along with a great deal of support.The only thing needed is the building! Which is why I will register on my own under non-profit status to collect those pledges and get the building. I want to thank those who have been supporting me and making me realize a number of thing's not only for my protection, but the protection of this project!Time is short, and the need is great in reaching out to the homeless! It's time for me to focus in order to move forward. I've heard what I needed to hear. I've seen what I needed to see, and will have to participate in less meeting's to maintain my focus.

Maria Lemmo

Corruption Where You Reside???

2010-07-25T19:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.blogger.com/profile/10257439996155773124
Our mission is to restore accountability back into our courts, ie judges, elected officials on all levels of government and appointees. We will scrutinize the various financal conflicts of interest, which have had adverse effects upon communities.

Dr. Shirley Moore National President for Disclosure Watch based in California has named those who will serve as Charter Leaders in the United States these Chairpersons will assist in helping with the process of reforming the National Judicial System and eliminating the Misappropriation of tax payer dollars which have been used to create violations of due process in the courts for the average American families where alienation has taken place across the board.
Dr. Shirley Moore's goal is to have Charter Leaders in every sector of the United States to achieve reform of our judicial system, in our social services and judicial power by having watchdogs that do not sleep. Those that were chosen as Chairpersons will now have avenues to follow whereby the issues can be properly rectified.
Dr. Shirley Moore announced that Richard I. Fine Esq. will be the National Spokesperson and available to Disclosure Watch disposal across the country. Mr. Fine known as a tax payer advocate attorney who represents those who are not receiving due process especially where funds are misused to violate due process through the misappropriation of taxpayer monies by government officials. He has received the Attorney of the Decade Award from the California Black Women's Council and the Judea Christian Alliance and is known for his work of challenging government action on behalf of the people.In addition serving on Disclosure Watch is Attorney Pat Berry of Los Angeles.Attorney Pat Berry is a Family and Civil Rights Attorney. She is also known for the unanimous sexual harassment decision that she won in the United States Supreme Court , which today is enforced in the work place. Additionally, Ms. Berry is the National Vice President for Disclosure Watch.
The combination of these two lawyers and Dr. Shirley Moore, a mediator, advocate, and renouned minister, will be the voice for the people and of the people who have not previously had the opportunity to be heard.
Ms. L. Wilson of Coshocton, Ohio has accepted to be the Charter Leader of the Ohio Disclosure Watch. Her duties will be to advocate, report to officials on all levels, get help for Ohio parents harmed by judicial practices that violate due process from a court order in all courts. In addition she will work on all levels to educate and gather statistical numbers for next year's Judicial Summit as to how things have increased or decreased for Ohioans with respect to the subjects of due process violations and parental alienations.Ms. Wilson recently has become a member of the NAACP Pomona Branch and is a well established activist for Ohio issues pertaining to children being protected along with being the founder of her own organization.
Brandi Williams has accepted to be the Charter Leader of the State of Washington Disclosure Watch. Her goals will be the same as Ms. Wilson's.Ms. Williams has been in a struggle with the State of Ohio with respect to her parental rights being violated by the Juvenile Court of Licking County and Judge Hoover. She has decided that this would be a good opportunity to create avenues to protect other's rights."They took my child illegally and Washington State is behind me with my efforts of proving he was kidnapped to the point that a law suit is close to being filed due to misappropriation of monies being granted when I still have my rights in tact," she said, " And basically the state of Ohio is leaving itself open for a lawsuit due to the misappropriation taking place with federal monies.I've contacted everyone and even gotten my transcripts that show where injustice has taken place, not only to me, but to my sons and other siblings who are torn apart over this," said Ms. Williams, " Basically Judge Hoover in the State of Ohio left me with no alternative but to make change for other parents in a similar situation by disclosing this to the public about my case."When L. Wilson was asked about how she could help in these areas now that acceptance of her position with Disclosure Watch is in place she stated, " I've been speaking with Brandi and our State House on this issue as well as Dr. Shirley Moore who gave us with this wonderful opportunity and I think if we create enough awareness to those who care about children we can accomplish the goal of getting resolution from our Senators and Congressmen, once they realize what's at stake for the taxpayers. Ms. Williams son was never taken legally by the state Child Protective Services from her care for abuse or neglect. And there is on record numerous times showing her child is in harm's way of the State of Ohio," said Ms. Wilson, " I am not a lawyer only an advocate/activist. But from what I know about Judge Hoover and another judge an bringing corruption to the light of things in Licking, my opinion is Licking County forcefully and willingly violated these parents' rights under the color of law and this needs to be rectified immediately!"While no comment could be obtained from either Licking County or the Coshocton Courts on issues of parental alienation taking place, phone calls were accepted by Congressman Space's personnel in Washington D.C. and Ohio stating they would pass this information along for his response. Senator Tim Schaffers office is expected to make an appointment to meet with Disclosure Watch the first of November when he returns, on this issue, and did make an effort to hear the issues to relay them to the Senator.
Also named for State Charter Leaders that have accepted are these states:In Macon Georgia, the 7000 MEN will be the Chair Leader. In addition, for the State of Georgia as a Co-Chair for Disclosure Watch, Dr. Shirley Moore has named Tiffany Howard who is the founder of One Out Of Many in Georgia.
Maryland's Chair Leader is Professor Gyamfi.North Carolina and South Carolina's Chair Leader will be Dr. Carley. http://www.drcarley.com/New York's Chair Leader will be Mr. Greg Fischer.Idaho's Chair Leader will be Mr. Wade justice4court@aol.com .Arizona's Chair Leader is Belinda Puntanen.Texas' Chair Leader is Mona.Florida's Chair Leader is Josie Perez .Virginia's Chair Leader is Barbara. New Jersey Chair Leader is Maria Lemmo kpnthe_lght77@yahoo.com

The Solution

2010-07-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

Admins
Shirley Moore
Deborah M. McLean
Maria Lemmo (creator)
Officers
Deborah M. Mclean
Advocate/Researcher

Dr. Shirley Moore/Team Leader/CA
Michelle Acerra
Head coordinator of Child Care Department
Members
4 of 33 members

Long Term Goals:To provide housing to the homeless and families in any crisis under an outlined one or two year program tailored to their needs in order to promote self-sufficiency. Allowing a family/individual to become self-sufficient and independent of all government assistance upon completion of implicated program, thus removing the burden off government agencies who provide assistance limited to federal guidelines, which increases the welfare roles at tax payer’s expense.Continually seek out those in need and gather them through referral agencies, the court houses, or any other available resource to share with them the hope and life changing resources found at the community center.

To develop them to the point that they are using their God given skills and abilities that will in turn benefit the community(*Isaiah 61:14 The servant of the Lord has been divinely anointed to preach the good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, release prisoners from darkness, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He comforts the mournful and redresses the “spirit of despair.”)We aim to target spiritual needs first because a broken vessel will not hold water and you cannot pour new wine into old wine skins. Seeds of love and hope will be given through each client intake breaking the spirit of defeat, oppression and depression. Understanding when an individual is going through a trial whether it be family crisis, poverty, legal ,addictions, job loss, or health matters, that theses stressors can limit mental efficiency, limit the ability to focus on a plan of action, hence wrong direction or defeated mentality will ensue causing a downward spiral for the individual.

Each client intake will provide us the opportunity to build trusting relationships and not only listen to what each client has to say, but provide resources, offer prayer, assign a mentor/vision coach, tools and encouragement to help see them through their burden coupled with their willingness to succeed. If a person does not believe in God, or is not comfortable with prayer they will not be excluded or turned away from the center. We will not aim to provide systematic intakes of our clients where they are met with once or twice, this will be a continual process based on the individuals willingness to see break through in their circumstance. The design and goals of the community center will be very transparent to all who seek our services, so ultimately if they desire change they will walk in accord willingly fulfilling program requirements.We are a faith based center and staff in one accord, but we will not exclude those in need based on race, color or creed. We aim to fulfill provision under the law with grace and mercy.

Many years later, during the days of Moses, we see that God established guidelines under the law to help the poor. Exodus 22 and 23 tells the Israelites to help aliens, widows, orphans, and the poor. God protects their property, warns again against showing favoritism, and sets up a system of “gleaning” to help prevent starvation and malnourishment (Ex.23:10-12). In Leviticus 28:8-43, we see that God institutes the practice of the “Year of Jubilee” to be practiced every fifty years. God says to the nation of Israel:…”do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God.” -Leviticus 25:17 (NIV) “If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countrymen may continue to live among you…”-Leviticus 25:35-36 (NIV) “ If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hired worker or temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee.” -Leviticus 25:39-40 (NIV).

We aim to abide by the above principals which will bring restoration. If someone is jobless and willing to work he will not be treated any differently at our center. Someone from our counseling department will help the client determine his strengths and weaknesses to development a concrete plan geared toward active job search according to the clients abilities. The client will then meet with a vision coach to help bring this plan to fruition, in addition other talents/goals may be realized by the client through continued exhortation from our team. Our clients will not be treated as a slave to the system, but be developed to the point of living independently apart from the system. Each client will have temporary shelter during this process, they will not be required to pay interest on their stay at the center.

When the client is on an established payroll either at the center or outside the center a small percentage of rent will be requested, but this will not hinder the clients progress. The financial model of how this plan will be implicated pertaining to rent will be worked out when the client meets with our budget counselors and contingent upon secured employment. The goal is for each client to have enough money saved during this process, so they are able to purchase a vehicle if needed, vehicle repairs, other financial burdens that need to be removed to promote self-sufficiency and ultimately enough money secured for the client to be able to maintain their own residency outside our center.

How To Secure Donation For This VisisonA meeting was held with the county Freeholders and vision of the Community Center was presented and well received. The Freeholders pledged thirty-five thousand dollars to begin the work, in addition a radio interview with WOBM was conducted, myself, Grace Johnson from Ocean County College, and Marilyn Burton from Start Smart day care were interviewed discussing the issues in our county, however the second part of the interview will present the solution and a request for donations will be made on air on how we can meet needs and restore our community.

Studies show billions of dollars are spent on programs for the poor and have created a gigantic welfare structure. Another target source of funding will come from churches and synagogues who are in line with this vision. Because we know the community will not support a system at tax payers expense that provides limited monthly allowances for people not working, but the community will support work ethichs and perseverance from those seeking assistance to resolve their hardships.Funding will come from the community. Once the community is aware that their tax dollars are supporting a welfare structure that is not 100% efficient in meeting community needs based on Federal Guideline restrictions they will lean toward supporting an effort that will not only work, but understand why it has been difficult for people in the system to get out of the system.

The goal of the community center is to decrease welfare rolls, so tax dollars can go toward other things, forward the community will support a structured program when it concerns redistribution of moral values.Fund raising efforts will be made in this community as well as the Orthodox Jewish community.An outline of this vision will be sent to businesses local and afar who have a set amount of money put aside for philanthropy work geared toward improving the community.

Programs And Teams Housed At CenterLicense Restoration ProgramTransportationTeam of educators/personalized skills testLegal teamPrayer/Intercessory teamAccountants/Budget counselorAdvocatesSecurityMentor/leadership skillsCounseling teamVision Coaches/goal setting/planningChild care staff/volunteer child providers to assists in home for second and third shift childcare for a season to help a family in need get ahead , or on their feet again.Self employment teamChesed program to assist Jewish brothers and sistersChild visitation program/restorationFamily restoration programTeam of doctors Addictions programCourt watchersAccountability teamCultural Integration and Assimilation programLicense RestorationTo assist those in our program who have secured employment pay off fines and match a percentage of the fines owed to quickly get them back on the road again, so upon leaving our center they are able to independently maintain employment.

Meeting this need will also involve legal counsel/representation.TransportationTo provide transportation through one of our vans to and from a work site, so those enrolled in our program can earn an income and save money in preparation of moving out of the center.Transportation will be provided until a car is donated or they have saved enough money to secure their own vehicle. This will remove the burden most families face when it comes to reliable transportation, getting to work on time,also remove the burden off existing non-profits who provide donated vehicles to those in need, but with a waiting list of up to a year or more.

Team Of EducatorsTo assist those in our program who desire to return back to school. Educators will discuss with clients what is available to them, how to enroll and overall guide them through the important steps of securing a higher education.Legal TeamThe goal of our legal team is to give legal counsel for those in need and a 100%. The difference between a public defender and a paying attorney is a huge gap. A public defender can be secured with no charge to the client contingent upon said client being of low income status, in which case the state will either pay the public defender for services rendered in full, or on a sliding scale to the client in need of counsel/representation. The down side to this arrangement is many public defenders have heavy caseloads and are able to give only so much of their time to the client. It limit’s the clients ability to maintain consistent contact in preparation for court hearings, and often times the client isn’t able to fully update the public defender and receive feed back from their representation until the actual court date, where as a paying attorney works directly for the client, consistently is present, have been known to give the client their cell phone number, but at a much higher price.

Our goal is to provide honest, compassionate, consistent, fair and just legal counsel/representation to those in need to meet the need of restoration.Prayer/Intercessory TeamOur prayer and intercessory team will be available to pray with a client who has a prayer request. In reference to spiritual warfare a prayer partner will be assigned to the client, in addition the intercessory team will daily lift the need/trial up in prayer.Accountant/Budget CounselorsTo assist the client with tax preparation, or show them how to prepare their own taxes. A budget counselor will be assigned to the client. The budget counselor will oversee that financial goals are being met, also to ensure the client is ready to leave the center and able to maintain self-sufficiency with the tools he/she has been given apart from the center.

Clients are required to put a set amount of money aside to achieve this goal, but will also have money left over to be able to purchase what they need. Vision CoachesA team of vision coaches spirit filled will break negative mind sets. The oppressed will no longer be looked at as the ones who deplete the system, the single parent will not be deemed a horrible parent because of poverty, the wrongly accused will have a voice! God built safeguards in his word. Verse 5 Isaiah They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have received the “good news.” Our vision coaches will seek to empower those in need, to empower and equip them to assume positions of leadership, and remind them that they have a role/place/purpose in the community that they live in. As trusting relationships are built our vision coach will work with the goals the client would like to see fulfilled, gave up on, and help them get there.More to come...

http://www.gopetition.com/online/25102.html

Copyright 2007 Under His Grace. Permission to copy all or part of the goals of Under His Grace is prohibited.

Blessede day to you mam miriam,i have read through your discussion board about the goal and the purpose of the things you advocate and actually doing for the advancement of peoples lives in the community. God truly blessed your life to become a blessing to others. Jehovah Jireh is the great provider so that all that we see must happen will come to pass and be made flesh. Hope i can join with this advocacy that you are doing, not only in your community but in my community as well where i reside. This is what the burden that the Lord impressed in my heart many years ago to minister to communities and people by bringing the church outside to live with the community and not to bring people to church in order to have them hear the message of restoration. instead bring the church to the people which i am now doing recently.The Lord impressed a burden in my heart to conduct small meetings with people in the community to voluntarily discuss about child care, spiritual care and physical care in a manner of viewing films. Through this advocacy the message of the Gospel about forgiveness of sins and restoration will be reached out by the people. in preparation in line with this vision God revealed... i prepare some Youtube clippings in line with the advocacy. as of this time i have prepared some reasearch on the causes and solutions of poverty. Because it affects the entire system of life. I believe God is the God of the whole universe. His intentions will come to pass as He conglemerates His people anywhere and everywhere to spread the message of restoration, forgiveness, love and acceptance. so that this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.God revealed vision to me is to reach out the whole city for Christ. As God reveals His strategy on how to do it, i began to conduct trainings on Tools for Evangelism and Operating in the Five Fold Ministry Gifts. We already started some crusades for change the past 2 months already as an initiative in order that aspiration for good lifestyle be heard by the people and so they will begin to aspire for it.God bless us all richly beyond compare. Keep up the good work and hope you include us in your prayers in the Holy Land. POWER from ON HIGH!!!your friend,junmontenegro

Radio Interview About Families

2009-03-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Please go to the following link to hear interview concerning families,education and child care needs.

http://millenniumradionj.com/news/index_audio.htm

If the link does not work you can go to, wobmam. com and follow these steps;click Jersey shore news,
Below the title,"As heard on wobm" click interviews and lastly...
click video and audio page and it will bring you to the interview.

Diana Spatz Story.....

2009-02-18T12:48:00.000-08:00

Diana Spatz is now the Executive Director of "LIFETIME" (Low-Income Families' Empowerment Through Education) and SPAN (The Student Parent Action Network).Address: 1880 Fairway DriveSan Leandro, CA 94577 Tel: (510) 352-5160.Student Parent Help Line: 1-888-404-7726 (toll free).Email: LIFETIME - geds-to-phds
To read a full account of the barriers and challenges facing parents on welfare who want to access funds available for their education, read Diana Spatz's article "Welfare Reform Skips School" in the June 2, 1997, issue of The Nation available free at your local public library or for purchase as a PDF file online through The Nation's archival site: The Nation Digital Archive.

Diana Spatz was a single mother on welfare. She encountered many barriers when she tried to get an education to become self-sufficient, but she found ways to overcome them. She now works to help other parents on welfare gain access to funding that is available for their education. Diana says:
Fifteen years ago I was a single mom living in California trying to exist on welfare. When I learned that California had education and training programs for people receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) I decided to sign up. I learned about a federal Family Support Act (FSA) that established the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) training program requiring states to design their own job-training and placement programs.
For poor mothers who relied on AFDC, the Family Support Act offered the chance to become self-sufficient -- but only in theory. The gap between the rhetoric of encouraging self-sufficiency and the way the services were administered became clear to me when I tried to get into the California program.
I wanted to learn word processing. It paid around $15 an hour, far better than my last housecleaning job, where I'd earned a little over minimum wage. Tired of struggling on a welfare grant that barely paid the rent, I jumped at the chance to get training -- but the state agency turned me away. According to the intake worker, my case wasn't a priority since I had a 10-month-old child. Her suggestion? "Check back in five or six years."
Facing the prospect of six more years on welfare, I put my child on the two-year waiting list for subsidized child care and made plans to enroll in a community college to learn word processing on my own. But shortly after I began classes, my caseworker decided to count financial aid as income. She cut off my welfare benefits and ignored all my calls.
With no money for rent or food, and no medical coverage just as my daughter became ill, I was almost forced to quit school. Instead, assisted by the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation (funding to such groups, not incidentally, was gutted by Congress in 1996), I represented myself, won my appeal and had my benefits reinstated. I was then able to continue my education and eventually win a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. I graduated with honors and secured a stable, well-paying job.
A national study of barriers to post secondary education faced by mothers receiving AFDC found that two-thirds of the thirty-two states surveyed allowed college only if JOBS caseworkers determined it to be "relevant" to the participant's employability plan -- even though 40 percent of the states surveyed provided no training for caseworkers in post secondary options.
Federal regulations are interpreted differently from state to state. Caseworkers unfamiliar with federal welfare rules on college attendance will still count student financial aid as income to justify canceling student mothers' welfare benefits -- just as mine did to me.
Lack of support services leaves low-income student parents susceptible to dropping out, as I almost did, or applying the same strategy they used to get their education -- doing it themselves. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, holds final exams on Saturday, yet child care centers are closed that day. Enterprising student moms wrote grant proposals and contracted with the city-run child care center to supervise kids whose parents had weekend exams -- for only $2 a day.
In recent years I have encouraged and organized groups of angry moms to speak out. They are learning that they can challenge rulings that take away benefits while they are in school. They can persuade commissioners and trustees to remove irrational barriers. By organizing and declaring what they need they can succeed in becoming educated, employed, and self-sufficient.
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Seeking Like Minded Advocates

2009-02-18T10:59:00.000-08:00

Seeking like minded advocates for welfare-reform issues.Age is not an issue as long as you are of working age, have political knowledge to some degree, and welfare reform issues.in Ocean/Monmouth County.Must have a sincere desire to help people, outlook,even when thing's appear bleak and willingness to better serve the community despite opposition on any level!

Are You In Need Of Weekend/Evening Childcare?

2009-01-31T16:55:00.000-08:00

Although almost 10 million children are on welfare today, the existing welfare system requires few of their parents to be in school or training. Welfare reform proposals, however, would require many more welfare recipients to participate in education or training as well as require them to find work after two years. Should such proposals be enacted, many more welfare parents will need child care subsidies. Yet only a small fraction of eligible parents have received child care subsidies. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of the child care funding streams, with entitlements to some client categories, time limits on others, and activity limits on others, produces unintended gaps in services. This limits the ability of low-income families to become self-sufficient.

If you are a single parent/parents, we would like to know if your family would benefit from weekend/evening child care in order to maintain employment or secure a better job?Your post is important so that it can be brought before the right people to obtain funding to cover second/third shift and weekend child care.The target is for the New Jersey/Ocean County area, but anyone else in a different state may also post their opinion.If we aren't letting anyone know there is a need for this type of extended care it won't be met.

Getting The Assistance You Need To Get Ahead And Become Indepent From The System

2009-01-30T18:42:00.001-08:00

Everything is not covered. As you read this you may think, "well, it looks like it's all there." There is much more information...Please feel free to email me or post your comments with questions and I will answer them A.S.A.P

If you are not employed and have a child/children you are eligible to receive cash assistance,food stamps,Medicaid and assistance with housing this is called, TANF(Temporary Assistance For Needy Families). If you are not employed without children you are eligible to receive GA(General Assistance) and food stamps.

If you are denied TANF benefits please be aware this can effect all other assistance in the sense you will be placed on long waiting list's for other services and in some cases may not be eligible.As a TANF recipient the first step you take is to apply at your local Social Service Office.You are asked many questions to start the application process.Next your case worker will tell you to go to child support to determine if you receive child support.If you do receive child support a portion of your monthly TANF grant will be deducted based upon what you receive in child support monies making your grant less. For a single mother of one child your grant amount will be $322.00 a month, for a mother of two children, your grant amount will be $424.00 so on and so forth.

After you complete child support application you bring the finished paper work back to your case worker showing you have complied.Note, this can all be done in the same day, but can take up to five to six hours to do in one day! This is due in part to the time you have to wait in the waiting room to be called to start your application for Tanaf benefits.Generally, in the same or next building depending on the county in which you live you can walk over to complete the child support application, which doesn't take too long. Once your case worker has the child support application you are almost complete.The next step is to meet with a someone to complete a case management assessment, they discuss your goals, if you are in school,planning to go back to school etc..Again upon completion give that completed assessment to your worker.It is wise to complete child support after you apply for TANF benefits that same day, then case management assessment and finally bring all paper work back to your worker to get benefits processed as soon as possible.It will take thirty day's to process so getting all paper work in A.S.A.P. is best.Starting on the 1st,2nd or 3rd of the month based on your number you will begin receiving cash benefits, food stamps and Medicaid.

Tips! If you are in need of emergency food beyond what a food pantry can furnish emergency food stamps CAN be issued sooner than the thirty-day wait time.Case worker don't furnish this information.But I have seen this happen.Also, if you are in need of shelter,placed in a hotel, storage fee's can be paid on your property so you don't lose it and have it for when you find more permanent housing. If you do not have furniture, under the TRAP)Temporary Rental Assistance Program), you would qualify for a voucher to purchase furniture for your home.

You are required to enter a work program for up to one month called WFNJ(Work Force New Jersey), this is held at the PIC Office located at 1959 Rt.9, Toms River, New Jersey.You will be trained in a skill if you aren't already in school,taught how to write a resume, look for a job etc..Now, this is something I do not always agree with and where some parts of this program "must" be reformed! If you are going to school make sure you are securing a degree.Do not let a worker try and change your goal and tell you no benefits will be issued if you don't change your degree or leave school all together.This is untrue! Most cash assistance recipients that are required to participate in employment and work readiness activities should know this includes school! Education IS important, personally I would rather see those who already know how to seek employment,write a resume, focus on earning a degree so they can secure better paying jobs and not have to worry about entering the system again.

For the most part the issue is not that a cannot write a resume or they don't know how to look for a job, but generally it is a life altering circumstance that throws them off course for a time. This could be expecting a child,giving birth, having to leave a job, lose a job based on no future child care for the hours they were able to work, again in this area of concern the list of reasons are vast! As opposed to going out for countless cigarette breaks,ordering fast food for lunch at the center,hanging out talking and most times hanging out in the office pretending to look for jobs because people are told they have to stay each day for over five hours or they will be sanctioned, i.e. lose their benefits! It makes more sense for the individual on TANF to make good use of their time in school, focusing on home work and setting goals!

We have walked in on intent and researched based upon observation what a day would entail at a work program and have spent whole day's observing what goes on. This is a fact! But if you are the type of individual who has a goal and a dream DO NOT let anyone destroy it!Go to that office with a plan of action! So you don't have to spend six-eight hours a day in a office hanging out! Continue college, learn that trade and only go to that office to access their computers if you do not own one to write a resume, search for job or buy the paper! Don't settle for being told this is all you have! $322.00/$424.00 is NOT best! And because you have to take such benefits now it does not dictate where you will end up when you have a solid plan!

Most times work programs set schedules in the morning and afternoon for you to attend.Right when you are expected to be in class for that trade or college.You are allowed to go to school and should not have to leave so you can be at a work program, that defeats the purpose of advancing yourself to get off the system.Remember this, you are allowed to go to school, if a worker tells you, no, you must be here! Or you feel you are being forced to settle in a trade/course of study not of your choosing... If you find issues such as this contact the Board Of Freeholder's for Ocean County residence and discuss the matter.There contact can be found http://www.ocean.edu/welcome/freeholders.htm And if you go to Ocean County College this can be accessed as you can see through ocean edu. Also contact legal services and seek an advocate who can represent you in most cases for free based on your income, because they are paid by the state. Ocean County... Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services Toms River Office. telephone (732) 341-2727. The Cory Building 599 Route 37 West Toms River, NJ 08755 ...And inquire about your rights! That is the most important thing which is to "KNOW" your rights.

Before continuing please understand the point being made. There are a large number of people who do abuse the system, do not set goals, are working and lie to receive extra perks, but they are not the majority.As a social worker it appears it is the majority because they get burnt out! And it's a proven fact that people tend to remember the negative about something or someone then the positive! So, it appears to some worker's that "everyone" is out to bleed the system!Some worker's take on the profession for a job and this is truth. It pays the bill's! But must interject that even the worker's are under paid, which is another Welfare reform issue.

It's rare, but there are some case workers who see the individual applying for state assistance as a person with potential! And a worker who will in turn not only notice that in you, but will take the time out to inform you of the help available to you and "approve" you. More individual time needs to be given to each individual before judgements are made about their abilities, however each caseworker has thirty and more cases to process in a day and that is why most who seek help feel like a number and a lot of important information is lost. But this issue once again is a Welfare reform issue and I won't discuss further, well, not here anyway...In short Go with your goal presented to your worker,a plan for your household, what you would like to see happen for your family and that IS to move forward independently from the system.
Please don't allow anyone to group you into a class of people that don't share the same drive! You are going to the system which is hard enough and equally embarrassing.But it's a stepping stone to move away from it!

Once on TANF you do not have to be placed on a waiting list for child care.If you secure employment after a month or two of being on TANF day care is ready the day you have to start work! But if you are not on TANF you will be placed on the waiting list for six month's up to a year through CHS (Children Homes Society), also located in Toms River New Jersey! Sadly, enough, it almost encourages people to go on TANF, ie, Welfare, because they won't fear losing that job because day care is automatic! For the person who in a working single family home, because they receive a pay check they do not quailfy for TANF and are placed on a waiting list for child care. Let me be more clear. They would have to be making less than $322.00 a month in order to be approved for TANF or not working at all. By the time it takes for them to wait for child care they may have already lost their job.Now we have a new recipient who has entered the Welfare system and the number is growing.Now that individual has to start from the bottom, when all that was needed was child care to keep from going below the poverty guideline!

If you have a family member or a friend that is able to care for your child in your home and are on TANF, CHS(Children's Home Society), will help pay for that and this gets worked out by you placing a call to them.Keep in mind they pay by the hour and I believe the rate is still under $8.00 an hour. The going rate for a babysitter is between $10.00 and a nanny $25.00 an hour! So, it's not much when you compare rates for care. If you have an understanding friend or family member who can do this great! Generally, for most it's too little pay. CHS can be contacted at 732-557-9633

Further information will be posted in the week's ahead.....

Electric High? Looking Out For Your Legal Rights

2009-01-29T13:47:00.000-08:00

State Programs that help with energy assistance are as follows;Universal Service Fund (USF),Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). You can call 1-800-510-3102 or visit www.energyassistance.nj.gov.

If you feel your bill is unusually high, and this means very high having nothing to do with the rate increase request a "Load Study" to be performed on your home! I have had Representatives try an tell customer's they can't have a Load Study performed because they are not a business, the sky is pink or it's not a real application! The sky being pink is clearly my over emphasising how real it is that Representatives have tried at some point to deter people from having a Load Study Application completed over the phone. We later found out it was because the two Representatives weren't familiar with the application themselves, checked with a supervisor upon request and then proceeded to take the application over the phone.So, generally you may get a Representative who is not familiar, in which case kindly ask to speak with a supervisor.The "Load Study" entails a number of questions, is painless and rather fast! It will determine if you are in fact paying too much for a bill each month and based on results bill is either adjusted or not.

Questions that are asked, how many television's are in the home?, computer's?,Jacuzzis? etc...they need to know about everything in the home that uses energy. If you don't have a television(some don't),a jacuzzi, you had new windows installed in the home which can contribute to keeping heat and cool air in, (providing they were installed properly),you don't owe from a back bill,then there should be no reason based upon additional measures you take to seriously conserve energy, that a two bedroom Apartment's heat bill should be six-hundred dollars a month gas or electric!

Keeping appliances unplugged when not in use is important and takes up a great deal of energy, not placing a thousand watt bulb(If they make them for a house/apt...wouldn't make sense which is the point), in the bathroom helps and having your meter testing if it is spinning way too fast. Example? Knowing everything is turned off in the home because you are going out, the only thing running is the refrigerator,water heater etc and the dial on your mete is at warp speed! This is called an incorrect meter.The electric or gas meter should not be running fast by more than 2% and if it is your bill should be adjusted. If it is running slow, the utility company cannot ask you to pay the amount you were undercharged, unless the meter was tampered with or failed to register at all, or you should have known that the bill did not reflect actual usage.Unless the meter was tampered with, the utility company should allow you to pay the undercharged amount in installments over a period of time equal to the period that you were undercharged.

If you suspect that your meter is not operating properly, you can ask the utility company to test the meter.The test is free as long as you do not ask for one more than once in a 12-month period.If you ask the BPU to conduct a test, there is a $5 fee.

Other steps you can take is contacting the BPU to dispute charges based on problems paying the utility bill because of an incorrect charge or because it is difficult to anticipate what the charge will be.Contact the electric company first and if the matter is still unresolved within five days contact the BPU and ask for an investigation of the disputed charge.Once the dispute is before the Board, collection activity on the charge, including termination of service,must CEASE until it has been resolved. And the electric company does not shut off on Friday's/weekends. I've heard some people get scared while in the middle of a dispute discuss how they were told they were getting shut off and on a Friday,leaving them without electric all weekend before they could deal with the matter further on a Monday (business day), they cannot terminate service on the weekend.

You may be able to discharge a utility bill that you are unable to pay by filing for bankruptcy.If the bankruptcy court discharges the debt and relieves you of the responsibility of paying the bill, you may continue to get service from your utility provider, but you will be required to post a new deposit.It is usually not a good idea to file bankruptcy primarily to deal with a utility bill.There may be components to pursuing bankruptcy,and before doing so you should speak with an attorney.If you are eligible for Legal Services assistance, you can contact your regional Legal Service office or the LSNJ-LAW hot line at 1-888-576-5529 for a telephone appointment with an advocate who can assist you further.

Welfare/Social Service Issues...

2009-01-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

The first post is the most important.Time and again I have visited state welfare agencies in person or by phone asking many questions...One important question is, "Do you have an estimated number of families in need of child care for evening and weekend shifts? Such parents may be a nurse,CNA,work in the post office late (mail always' circulate), the list of jobs are extensive and I'm curious to know if day care needs are being met so these parents may maintain employment or secure employment?" The answer every time has shocked me! I am being told there is no need for it, no parent has asked for such services etc...One worker stated and I quote,"When a parent tell's me what they would like to do for work or skilled in (TANF recipient),I ask if they have the child care that will cover the shifts to work such a job? If they say, no, I'm a nurse and need evening child care, then I tell them to find a different type of career where they can secure child care and be able to work."This is a very big problem! Forcing a client off TANAF based on unavailable resources, "The rush and get them out there working at any cost method lacks a vital element(Not really hearing the client needs) and the purpose of the program has just failed that individual placing them at greater risk of re-entering the Welfare System!

The client's skills are not only being undermined, but now they are forced to take on a job they aren't skilled in based on restricted child care slots,more money is spent on additional training concerning an area of work they may not like to start with, they risk taking a huge cut in pay, in addition that individual is now more likely to re-enter the system.It is not enough to say to that parent who is a nurse, "Take an office job some where!" That is not the solution financially for that household, nor does it address the issue of limited child care. There are very few nine to five jobs these day's, job's do require some if not every weekend shifts, nights, some require travel. The truth of the matter is the need for such extended childcare service is great and that need is growing!

I was appalled to hear one worker clearly state, "In my thirty-year's" One person went for their nursing degree! I was outraged by the lack of compassion, it showed me by that comment a judgement was being made not giving another human being any credit or hope and I thought,"Why would this worker be so bold to lie about that estimation to start with? Perhaps, she was unaware(because I didn't inform her until after her remark...which she then exclaimed and I quote,"I'm speechless!"), that research has been done and survey's were collected on foot by those in the community and on the system all clearly voicing their need for extended child care, in addition to my finding more than five parents who obtained a degree in nursing were told by a worker to change careers based on lack of child care and other's in the process of securing such a degree practically having to fight for it because they are being told to do something else! Nursing is one example there are many other career's clients are being told they cannot do based on limited child care. And I will touch on other issues through out the months!

Extended childcare is a big need in our community! And for those who verbally suggest otherwise claiming they are the voice of the community, I have directly gone to those in the community,documented,they wrote testimonies and in those voices are making clear they have this need and it's going unmet. The additional money it takes to train someone for a different career based upon day care restrictions, would better serve as a source of funding toward day care's in the area already willing to step up to the plate and open their doors for extended childcare services. This creates more job opportunities for those willing to work in child care. And those on TANF can secure employment where they are not taking a cut in pay working in a profession they never wanted to start with cause they were told to settle.

To settle leaves that TANF door wide open again for that client. And while you have those who have misused the system or those who have lost hope and depend on it with no future goals...On the other end you have a large number of people who are growing very leery and angry of being grouped into the above mentioned categories who refuse to settle! And those voices are standing up in greater numbe.As proposed in the State Plan for (TANF) FFY 2009-FFY 2011 Under Program Goals # 2 End the dependence of needy parents on government by promoting job preparation...it goes on, but that is the important proposed goal.And #8 Provide a variety of post TANF supportive services to help them maintain their independence from welfare cash assistance program and improve their family circumstances.

Currently, what has been proposed is not being met and child care is one issue that needs to be addressed, forward the myth that it's not needed should be abolished! And for every worker that states this is not a need(Lord, only know's why they would want to conceal this need), will be met with one survey per opposing case worker from a client in the community who has a testimony stating otherwise! Feel free to share your testimony....
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